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British Cycling is pleased to announce the appointment of experienced global sports executive Lee Gibbons as a new Independent Non-Executive Director on the organisation’s Board of Directors. In a 22-year career in the sports marketing industry, Lee has held senior roles in organisations including IMG and adidas, where he led the brand’s sponsorship programme for London 2012. He is currently Managing Director of Sport UNLIMITED, an insight-driven integrated sports marketing agency, part of the UK’s leading conversion agency UNLIMITED. As an Independent Non-Executive Director, Lee will provide vital support and expertise to British Cycling’s commercial and marketing functions, as the organisation looks to capitalise on the spotlight of Paris 2024. Lee joins the Board following the departure of Leah Davis, who leaves after three years in post to focus on her full-time role with Sail GP. We would like to thank Leah for her contribution to the organisation over recent years. Speaking following his appointment, Lee said: “It is a huge honour to join the Board of British Cycling and I’m really looking forward to working with the other Board members, the Executive and wider teams to contribute to continued success at all levels of this great sport." “Having worked with British Cycling and many of the team’s athletes whilst at adidas, to being a passionate fan in the velodrome, or cheering the Tour of Britain on with my family, it’s a sport very close to my heart." “With a clear strategic plan in place, an Olympic and Paralympic Games fast approaching where the team will look to maintain their position as one of the most successful British sports, and flourishing grassroots participation, now is an exciting time to join. I look forward playing my part to ensure every opportunity for the sport is realised.” British Cycling Chair, Frank Slevin, added: "Following what has been an extensive and incredibly competitive process I’m thrilled to welcome Lee to the Board of Directors." “Our Independent Directors each play a vital role in bringing significant and highly-specialist expertise to the Board, helping to support our core functions and provide rigorous oversight to our work. Lee’s knowledge and insight will be a great asset to the organisation as we look to grow our network of commercial partners and strengthen our membership proposition, and we look forward to welcoming him to the Board in the new year.” The British Cycling Board of Directors is comprised of an independent chair, nominated directors from Scottish Cycling, Welsh Cycling and the English regions, three elected directors and three independent non-executive directors.

2023 has been a multi-award-winning year for office and commercial cleaning company Cleanology, picking up six national and international trophies for its contribution to the sector and its approach to sustainability. The family owned and run company, one of the UK’s fastest growing cleaning contractors, scooped one of the biggest business awards in the UK at the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards. Cleanology was named SME Business of the Year at an event attended by business dignitaries including the Chancellor Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP. Two of the awards personally recognised the leadership and contribution to the cleaning industry by the company’s CEO and Co-Founder, Dominic Ponniah. He was named Leader of the Year by both the prestigious IWFM Impact Awards, the ‘Oscars’ of the UK’s facilities management sector, and the Global Good Awards. Cleanology also shone on the international stage, winning the biggest industry prize in Europe for its approach to sustainability at the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards, held in Dublin in October. The firm also won the Sustainability category of the 2023 Green Apple Awards. Dominic Ponniah, CEO of Cleanology, which is headquartered in Vauxhall, South West London, said: “I’m thrilled to have won Leader of the Year, not once but twice this year. It’s not something I would ever have imagined possible when I started in the industry 20 years ago, so I was very touched to have been recognised in this way." “I am so grateful to my amazing team, our wonderful clients and all those who have supported me on my journey.” There was also a personal award to recognise the efforts of Maria Vinadu from Leeds, who was named Cleaning Operative of the Year in the Hill Club Awards, and the company was a Finalist in the Special Recognition category at the 2023 Premises and Facilities Management Awards. “We won’t be resting on our laurels. It’s the fourth consecutive time Cleanology has been a Finalist in the Sustainability Leadership award in the Kimberly-Clark Professional Golden Service Awards in 2024,” added Ponniah. “It would be incredible to win for a historic fourth time.”

A Leeds-based golf mental performance coaching company is ending the year on a high after having more than doubled revenue, rapidly expanded its corporate network membership, trebled its player portfolio and recently launched in Scotland. Underpin Sports, which is dedicated to unlocking higher performance by helping elite amateur and professional golfers cope psychologically with the pressures of competing across the globe, aims to further increase revenue by 50% in the next 12 months. Its 72 Club corporate network is a major source of revenue for the business, with its membership increasing by 132% year-on-year. It provides a programme of events and strategic partnership opportunities to sectors ranging from finance to construction. The bulk of its membership is currently Yorkshire-based and includes firms such as Blacks Solicitors, Sagars and ProAktive Insurance. In a further boost to its growth ambitions, the company has also recently expanded into Scotland and is headed up north of the border by Edinburgh-based Scott Dickson who is a well-known figure across the drinks, golf and whisky industry. Other major milestones for the business include key senior appointments such as Sean Jarvis, who came on board as non-executive director earlier in the year. Sean’s leadership, sporting experience and expertise will help Underpin Sports drive its long-term strategic growth aims as he balances it with his full-time commitment as CEO of Leicestershire County Cricket Club (LCCC). From a player perspective, Underpin Sports has launched its academy to provide closer support to the grass roots of the game and also increased its elite-level player portfolio from six to 20 in just 12 months, comprising 15 professionals and five amateurs. It has supported some of the game’s rising stars, including Charlotte Heath who was crowned leading amateur and winner of the Smyth Salver at this year’s AIG Women’s Open. Growing the player portfolio has been enhanced by various commercial deals. Securing a key partnership with the Clutch Pro Tour - a feeder to both the Challenge and DP World Tours – has proved pivotal in helping the business forge greater relationships with up-and-coming talent competing on the tour. Stewart Clough, managing director for Underpin Sports, said: “The business is still largely in its infancy however it’s hugely satisfying to achieve record growth and play such a key role in the mental performance and career development of some of the UK’s rising golf stars." “There’s a natural synergy between golf and business and so we’ve worked hard over the last year to develop a company which harnesses the widespread passion for the game but also provides an attractive proposition to corporate organisations. Our 72 Club network has made giant strides and it’s exciting to see it drive new commercial opportunities for those firms involved and enable them to get more involved in supporting the future of the amateur and professional game.” “The exceptional performance, key senior-level appointments we’ve made and our recent expansion into Scotland hopefully signals our growth ambitions. We don’t want to stand still though and see massive potential to scale the business even further as we move into 2024.”

Next year will be when ‘jet zero’ takes off, according to a regional cluster along the M3 corridor. It is a collaborative effort between trade bodies, local government and academia to accelerate decarbonisation in the aerospace sector. Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) and Enterprise M3 LEP are among the organisations involved in the pioneering project. The ambition is to achieve ‘net zero aviation’ by 2050 and further develop technology to make the wider industry cleaner. Alan Fisher, chief executive officer of FAC, said: “The move to a greener future is happening and we want to be at the forefront. Our country’s aerospace sector is centred in the south and south-east and we must make efforts to decarbonise." “FAC represents many companies in the aerospace and aviation sectors, but also many in their supply chains. The rush to ‘jet zero’ includes many different types of business, from those making the planes and infrastructure to those making small components." “Fuel is one area that is being studied closely in an attempt to reduce the emissions it produces. The weight of components and the processes and chemicals being used are all under scrutiny. Next year will be hugely important in the development of this new tech. Having emerged from the pandemic lockdowns, industry is now fully focussed." “The cluster involves different types of organisation who have embarked on a collaborative approach which will be the best way forward. Our aim is to help the industry prosper by going where governments, and the public, want it to go. This year Gulfstream completed the world’s first trans-Atlantic flight using sustainable aviation fuel. So we know it can be done.” Involved in the cluster are 25 organisations including trade bodies, local authorities, universities and colleges.

Dorset super-swimmer Oly Rush has made the pages of the 2024 Guinness book of world records for his astonishing 60 mile circumnavigation Grand Cayman. The 39-year-old - dubbed the ‘Human Fish’ – spent an arm-aching 37 hours non-stop powering round the Caribbean island. He was the first person ever to achieve the feat and he did it to raise awareness of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. The plasterer from Upton near Poole has notched up some notable achievements in recent years, including the fastest swim around the Isle of Wight and becoming the first person to swim around the Greek Island of Ithaca. Strapping vegan Oly also raises money for environmental charities during his endurance swims and has his sights set on further firsts. He commented: “It’s lovely to be recognised by the Guinness book of records but what’s more important is to do my bit to clean up the oceans. The Grand Cayman swim was incredibly difficult but I had a fantastic team who planned it in detail and were with me all of the way." “I have recently set up a new charity called Project Planet Earth and I’ll be putting a lot of effort into that, raising awareness about plastic pollution. I also go into schools and give talks and the children really seem to take what I’m saying on board. I think we have a great generation coming through who really care about reducing pollution." “Next year I aim to do another swim which I’m still finalising, but which will test me more than any of the others.” ‘Guinness World Records 2024’ states how Oly swam around the 59.3-mile distance in 36-hours 59-minutes. It includes a picture of an emotional Oly at the end of his world record.

Beverley-based care home, Chapter House is on a mission to make sure nobody is alone this festive season. The 79-bed care home in the heart of the community has opened its doors and is offering a bowl of homemade soup, glass of mulled wine and a warm and friendly welcome to all those who are hungry, cold or lonely. The initiative, which will roll into the New Year, is a collaboration between Chapter House, which provides residential, dementia and respite care and is being supported by the Beverley Minster. The ideas was suggested by Helen, the wife of a resident and part of the Beverley Minster congregation, and is heavily supported by Chapter House home manager, Robert Hall. Robert said: “As a community care home, it is important for us to support people not only in our home, but in the local area too” Robert continued, “Many of our residents don’t have family nearby, so we understand how hard it can be and how lonely some people feel – particularly between Christmas and New Year.” Helen said, “I have a very close relationship with Chapter House, as well as the congregation at Beverley Minster where I am a liaison, and I wanted to make sure everyone knew there was somewhere they could go if they felt lonely over the festive period." “The team at Chapter House are wonderful with my husband – kind and caring and this just shows how important community is to the home. It is a shining example of a care home which truly cares.” Chapter House is welcoming all those who are lonely, hungry or cold to come along and enjoy the company of our staff and residents over a warm bowl of soup and mulled wine.

Yorkshire-based care home company, Springfield Healthcare will begin work on a £15 million transformation of Grove House, a grade two listed building on Skipton Road, Harrogate. The six-acre site was purchased by the CEO of Springfield Healthcare, Graeme Lee in 2017. Following a lengthy process, North Yorkshire Council has published a decision notice approving the application, subject to conditions. Plans for the property are to create high quality facilities for residents, with extensive community use. The listed building will be transformed into a care home with 24 spacious flats. In addition, a 62-bed care home and eight houses be built on land alongside Grove House, providing supported living for over 65s. Steeped in history, Grove House was built in 1745 and was the home of Victorian inventor, philanthropist, and mayor Samson Fox. From here it became a hospital during the First World War and then the Headquarters of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. Springfield Healthcare has seven care homes in Yorkshire within its portfolio of state-of-the-art homes, including Harcourt Gardens in Harrogate. CEO of Springfield Healthcare, Graham Lee said, “Our vision is to create a unique community concept which brings older and younger generations together. We are in very close proximity to Grove Road Community Primary School where we hope school children will visit and take part in regular intergenerational activities with the residents." “At the core of the new care home scheme, will be exceptional care in luxury surroundings in the heart of the community.” All Springfield Healthcare care homes are set in the heart of their local community. Grove House promises to provide a true sense of community in safe and inspiring surroundings for residents in their care.

IT recruitment specialist Parity has merged with Pertemps Network Group to strengthen its position and help it expand into new markets. Rebranded as Parity Network, the Edinburgh-based business, which has been trading for nearly 50 years, serves clients across the UK, Ireland and a number of other European countries. It becomes part of a £1bn specialist recruitment network, a long-term investor in Parity, opening it up to more investment and expansion possibilities, while continuing to offer both permanent and contract solutions for clients. Izzy Brown, Managing Director of Parity Network, said: “This move makes us part of a high-profile and successful recruitment organisation with the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded businesses focused on attracting the best talent." “We specialise in finding the best IT talent to fulfil clients’ needs. This change means we will be able to offer even more to clients, helping businesses with different roles across many different specialisms that are complementary to our core offering.” Trevor Large, Managing Director of Pertemps Network Group IT specialists Network ERP + IT (EMEA), said: “The merger with Parity Network continues to enhance Pertemps Network Group’s IT offering across a broad spectrum of clients." “Bringing Parity into the family is a natural progression for both businesses and the start of an exciting new era.”

Leicestershire CCC is delighted to announce Sam Wood has signed his first professional contract with the Club. The 19-year-old, who began his journey with the Foxes at the age of nine, has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Uptonsteel County Ground. Wood, a 6ft 4” all-rounder, was an ever-present in Leicestershire’s Second Eleven Championship title-winning team in 2023, helping Dips Patel’s side finish unbeaten at the top of the table. The Markfield-born star also enjoyed a fruitful summer with the Academy, scoring his runs at 35.65 and picking up his wickets at 18.90 across 24 appearances. It followed a superb 2022 campaign, during which Wood passed the 1,000-run mark at an average of 42.56 and claimed 36 wickets. Upon signing his first professional deal, Wood said: “I’m really looking forward to getting going. We’ve got a competitive squad and hopefully we can build on the success of last season." “The lads have been very welcoming. Pre-season has been tough physically, as you’d expect, but I’m really enjoying working with Fonz (Alfonso Thomas), Titch (James Taylor) and Dave (Whitmore)." “It’s been very encouraging to see so many lads come through the Academy. Someone like Hully (Josh Hull) acts as a great inspiration. I’ve worked with him a lot over the past couple of years and we’re very close, so it’s great to see what he’s done at First Team level. Hopefully, I can emulate that form next season.” Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson, said: “It's fantastic to see Sam getting his rookie contract. He is another young, exciting talent from our Academy and he adds a threat in all three departments. We are really looking forward to following his progress in the coming seasons.” Wood becomes the latest Fox to graduate from the Club’s esteemed Academy, following the likes of Rehan Ahmed, Harry Swindells and Josh Hull in recent summers.

An accountancy and business advice firm has gifted more than 350 baubles and donated £325 to a Hampshire hospice charity after a fun Christmas competition. HWB Chartered Accountants invited clients, staff, visitors and the public to guess the exact number of baubles which were put on display in their Chandler’s Ford reception. A one-metre-tall, 300mm-diameter clear cylindrical tube was packed full of the coloured decorations in HWB’s brand colours. Within days, the firm received more than 100 entries, with resulting proceeds quickly rising and exceeding the fundraising target of £250 for HWB’s chosen charity, Mountbatten Hampshire. The answer was 355. The closest guess was made by Liam Heffernan of The Brain Tumour Charity, based in Fleet, who won a Christmas hamper worth £100. Liam said: “I am delighted to win this fantastic Christmas hamper from HWB. The Brain Tumour Charity has been a client of HWB for many years and I have always been impressed with HWB’s efficient, helpful and friendly service.” The baubles have now been donated to Mountbatten Hampshire to sell on in one of their charity shops, so recycling their use. Caitlyn Sherry, Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser at Mountbatten, said: “This was such a lovely Christmas present. We provide free-of-charge services to around 1,000 families every day, with demand predicted to grow by 40% in the next 18 months." “It is only through the generosity of our amazing community of supporters and volunteers that we can provide the best possible care for local people in the last years of their life." “Christmas can be an especially difficult time for those living alongside death, dying and bereavement, so we can’t thank HWB Chartered Accountants enough for their timely support. It is very much appreciated.” HWB Managing Director Tracy Jenkins said: “Our bauble challenge was an ideal way to have fun, sprinkle a little Christmas magic and support Mountbatten Hampshire all at the same time." “Congratulations to Liam for being so close with the answer. We thank everyone who entered the competition and did their bit to help us raise much needed funds for Mountbatten Hampshire.”

The Matthew Good Foundation a is grant-making charity formed by Hull-based business, John Good Group in 2011 has passed a major milestone of £1million given to non-profits since it was founded. To celebrate, employees at John Good Group have voted for two Yorkshire-based charities; Clean Planet and HER Breast Friends to receive surprise donations of £5,000 each. As the Matthew Good Foundation hits the milestone of giving £1million to good causes since their launch, they are putting the charities and non-profits they support at the heart of their celebrations. In December 2023, the Foundation entered a shortlist of its recent beneficiaries into an employee vote at the John Good Group. The winners, receiving £5,000 each, were picked from two categories important to the John Good Group’s philosophy: People and Planet. The winner in the Planet category was Clean Planet, a charity set up by hobbyist diver, Stephen Smith, who lives near the mouth of the River Tees at the top of North Yorkshire. Horrified by the amount of lost and abandoned fishing gear, termed “ghost gear,” which he discovered when diving around the coastline, he decided to take the problem literally into his own hands, removing and recycling the gear himself piece by piece. Upon hearing that his charity had won the surprise donation, Stephen commented, “I’m quite speechless, I wasn’t expecting that! Thank you for the donation, it will really help us. We do rely on the kindness of Foundations and things like that to keep us going, because we make no money whatsoever on this. Every penny that we raise goes into trying to remove this hazard from me the beaches and sea.” The winner in the People category was HER Breast Friends is a small Hull and East Yorkshire-based charity supporting local people affected by breast cancer, offering practical help with advice, a wig bank and a bra bank, and emotional help with wellbeing days and group support from local peers. The charity has been supported for a number of years by DAN Shipping (a subsidiary of the John Good Group) employee Tracy Keenan-Smith. Tracy, along with Michelle Taft, Executive Director of the Matthew Good Foundation and Adam Walsh, CEO of the John Good Group paid the team at HER Breast Friends a visit, where they surprised them with the good news. Pam Trays, Chairman of HER Breast Friends commented, “Thank you for this amazing donation! We are planning to move into our new, bigger premises next year and this will go towards helping us make them even better, providing more wellbeing services for people affected by breast cancer." "Our new premises will allow us to deliver all of our current activities and services in a new dedicated space, including more rooms for our Buddleia Therapies and also for counselling sessions. We’re so grateful to Tracy for nominating us and to all the John Good Group employees who voted for us to receive this donation. Thank you so much!” In the first year of the Matthew Good Foundation’s launch in 2011, it gave away a modest £2,111, but over the last twelve years, donations from the John Good Group and other donors have grown at pace. Today, the Foundation offers a complete range grants and support to small and local non-profits, empowering businesses and their employees to get involved. With close to £300,000 granted to hundreds of charities and non-profits in 2023, more than half of the £1million granted since 2011 by the Matthew Good Foundation was granted in the last three years. Adam Walsh, CEO of the John Good Group said, “£1million of donations have gone to amazing and heartwarming causes up and down the country and beyond." "I’m delighted for all the present and former John Good Group colleagues who have played their part in this achievement, as it is them that direct much of the giving, facilitated by the Matthew Good Foundation." “This celebration represents so much more than a number; it's a symbol of the positive change we can create for our communities and the environment when we put our collective minds to it. With the momentum provided by the Matthew Good Foundation, I’m confident that it will not be long until we are celebrating the £2million milestone!” With the generous support secured from the John Good Group, the Mathew Good Foundation now has an upscaled strategic plan to improve conditions for the small non-profit sector. Michelle Taft, Executive Director of the Matthew Good Foundation commented, “In the current climate, the small but high-impact charities and non-profits like the ones we have supported with these surprise donations are vulnerable." "They need our help more than ever to close the funding gap that exists between them and much larger charities. Many businesses now understand this, and the Matthew Good Foundation hopes to help more businesses develop highly impactful community programmes like that of the John Good Group.”

The private country retreat to Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the former home of the late composer Sir William Walton set on an Italian island, and a “rewilded” wildlife-friendly garden lovingly tended to by a Norfolk couple are among the new sites to join the Royal Horticultural Society’s celebrated Partner Gardens scheme. Sandringham Gardens, a 60-acre garden with streams, lakes, ornamental trees and shrubs, is nestled within the wider 243-hectare Sandringham Estate. Originally purchased as a gift for the then-Prince Edward VII for his 21st birthday in 1860, the residence has been developed in turn by each monarch since and officially opened to the public in 1908 by King Edward VII. Enjoyed by members of the Royal Family and their guests when in residence, Sandringham Gardens’ most recent developments have seen the addition of a Topiary Garden covering approximately an acre, bringing a more decorative aspect and naturalistic planting to the area to improve biodiversity. The vision of His Majesty the King and a strong belief in the interconnectedness of all things is reflected in The Topiary Garden. Launched two decades ago, the Partner Garden scheme enables RHS members to visit a range of gardens for free at selected times of the year. There are now 220 partner gardens covering the British Isles, with 25 overseas including in Barbados, France, Japan and South Africa. The eight other new gardens to join next year’s scheme include the beautiful La Mortella, the home of the late composer Sir William Walton, designed by Russell Page and developed by the late Lady Susana Walton. Set on the island of Ischia, near Naples, the tropical gardens display water features, collections of rare plants and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Natural Surroundings, in Norfolk, offers eight acres of gardens and meadows nestling on a gentle slope beside the River Glaven. A horticultural, wildlife gardener’s paradise, the diversity of plants and wildlife both delights and inspires. It is owned by Anne and Simon Harrap, who have created garden rooms for moths, butterflies and bugs alongside a medicinal garden from a previously unused field. Gilbert White’s Garden, home of the 18th century naturalist Gilbert White, the author of The Natural History of Selborne, features a miniature landscape garden of 12 hectares with a mix of formal garden, orchards, kitchen garden, herb garden, naturalist’s garden and wildflower meadow. Planting is based on his ‘Garden Kalendar’ of 1751-1767. Also in 2024’s list are Riverhill in Kent, family-run historic gardens with expansive views across the Weald of Kent, and the American Museum and Gardens in Bath, Grade II listed gardens featuring designs by American landscape architectural firm Oehme Van Sweden including a replica of George Washington’s garden. Athelhampton House and Gardens in Dorset, two hectares of formal Elizabethan-style formal walled gardens set alongside more natural Arts and Crafts movement gardens, Mothecome Gardens at the mouth of the Erme estuary in Devon, and Andalusia Historic House and Garden overlooking the Delaware River in America, including gardens designed by Arabella Lennox-Boyd, are also among the new Partner Gardens. Dr Tim Upson, RHS director of Gardens and Horticulture, said: “We are delighted to help showcase some of the great gardens not just here in Britain, but around the world, to our members." "From the private residence of Their Majesties, to smaller, independent family-owned gardens and a tropical Mediterranean island paradise – it’s great to know members can enjoy free days out to such a range of sites with historic importance, horticultural excellence and wonderful plants.” Details of all RHS Partner Gardens can be found at www.rhs.org.uk/partnergardens